Sustainable Starts: Eco-Tips for New Parents

We recently became parents to a baby girl, she is our first baby and we have been spending time figuring out how to start her life with as little waste as possible. Here’s a few simple ways we’ve found to make a difference.

1. Rethink the Nappy

Disposable nappies generate a staggering amount of waste. While disposables have become the norm, reusable options are making a comeback. The variety of reusable nappies can be overwhelming, we recommend starting with a few “all-in-one” types; these are simple, easy to wash and dry, and travel ready. Some options have poppers that can be adjusted as your baby grows, so they last well. Even swapping just a few disposables a day saves significant money and waste. You can get free samples and advice from the Nappy Library at Wastesavers Reuse Centre. 

Bonus tip: you can also get reusable cloth baby wipes!

2. Go Preloved

Almost all of our purchases for baby have been second-hand! Buying "preloved" reduces the

environmental impact of manufacturing and keeps perfectly good items out of landfill. We’ve found beautiful, excellent-condition wooden toys, a cot, and a Moses basket on Facebook Marketplace, plus clothing and a carry sling on Vinted. We’ve found lovely items with organic textiles for a bargain price. We especially love The Little Loop, a brilliant second-hand service which allows trade-ins for swapping baby clothes as they grow. Some companies also offer a hire service for baby clothes.

3. Start small

Remember, a new baby doesn’t need much—they just need their parents! Our main advice is to start small and do whatever feels manageable. Every little change adds up, and starting a family doesn’t have to mean a huge environmental cost.

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